Over 600 Trees Illegally Cut Down At Government Institute In Kanpur; Director Named In FIR

Authorities have launched a formal investigation into the unauthorised destruction of hundreds of trees within the National Sugar Institute campus in Uttar Pradesh.

A significant environmental violation has come to light in Kanpur, where a case has been filed following the discovery that over 600 trees were illegally cut down at the National Sugar Institute (NSI). The incident, which has sparked widespread concern, reportedly involved the systematic removal of a wide variety of plant life from the government facility without the necessary permits.

Investigation into the Felling

The legal proceedings began after a complaint was lodged by Regional Forest Officer Rakesh Pandey. According to the FIR, the destruction was far more extensive than initially suspected, with records indicating that 655 mature trees and 67 dwarf oleander plants were removed. The scope of the felling was broad, covering numerous species including neem, shisham, eucalyptus, gulmohar, and siris. Investigators believe the operation was carried out over several months, with timber being clandestinely transported off-campus under the cover of darkness.

The administration’s involvement has drawn intense scrutiny. Among those named in the FIR are NSI Director Seema Paroha, along with the institute's estate officer, farm manager, and a private security commander. A local wood merchant from Anwarganj has also been implicated in the case.

Obstruction and Discovery

The extent of the damage was only uncovered after internal reports were raised by employee organisations at the institute. When forest department officials first attempted to inspect the site on May 27, they were reportedly denied entry by security staff, who claimed that access required explicit approval from the director. A subsequent inspection on June 2, conducted in the presence of the director, confirmed the scale of the operation.

Officials discovered 377 stumps, estimated to be about six months old, scattered across the premises. Furthermore, it was noted that roughly 250 trees had been uprooted using heavy machinery like JCBs. While the NSI had received official approval to remove nine trees in July 2024, the current evidence suggests that this limited permission was used as a cover to justify the felling of over 700 trees in total.

Administrative Consequences

The fallout from the investigation has already reached the forest department. Chief Conservator of Forests NK Janu has suspended a forest official, Van Daroga Ram Babu Dohre, citing negligence for failing to detect the unauthorized activity sooner. Meanwhile, police have confirmed that they are reviewing CCTV footage to determine the volume of timber removed from the campus.

As the investigation continues at the Kalyanpur police station, the institute has reportedly tightened its security, restricting the entry of outsiders into the campus. Authorities have promised an impartial probe to determine how such a large-scale environmental loss could occur at a government-run institution.